Commitment Interview: Cisco JUCO QB Richard Lagow Talks Commitment to Indiana Hoosiers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The junior college ranks time and time again have proven to be wonderful proving grounds for top former high school athletes trying to work their way to the Division-I ranks. For quarterback Richard Lagow, his path was a little bit different first heading to the Connecticut Huskies, then for a semester in Stillwater with the Oklahoma State Cowboys before landing with the Cisco Wranglers back in his home state of Texas. Lagow already had the physical tools of a FBS pocket passer but decided to develop his craft for two years at the junior college level reemerging as one of the top quarterbacks in the junior college ranks.
On Monday, Dec. 7, Lagow made another hard decision about where to take his talents verbally committing to the Indiana Hoosiers.
For a prolific passer like Lagow, what a great landing spot. Lagow has an opportunity to come into the Hoosiers program to compete for a starting position after Nate Sudfeld completed his senior season. Sudfeld, although largely under the radar, is one of if not the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. The senior passed for a conference leading 3,184 yards with 24 touchdowns against just five picks, the same touchdown to interception ratio as Michigan State’s Connor Cook. Sudfeld had more yards than Cook in eight fewer pass attempts with the Hoosier also leading his Big Ten peers in quarterback rating posting a 153.9.
Sudfeld took the large majority of the snaps leaving big shoes to fill between Zander Diamont, Danny Cameron, and Lagow among the other quarterbacks currently on the roster.
When Indiana secured Lagow’s verbal commitment, they added a 6’6”, 240 pound, gun- slinger who can throw it deep but has also developed his mid-range game. During his freshman season with Cisco he threw for 2,900 yards with 29 touchdowns against nine interceptions seemingly always trying to play catch-up to the opposition on the scoreboard. In eight games played during his sophomore season, the Wranglers full schedule, Lagow had 2,285 yards passing, 21 touchdowns against 10 picks.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Richard after his big announcement to get the background story on his commitment to Indiana and an overview of his 2015 season.
Interview
Richard, first, congratulations on your commitment to Indiana.
“Thank you.”
What influenced you to commit to the Hoosiers?
“I was really excited about what Coach (Kevin) Wilson and his staff have done at Indiana. They have done an amazing job and made a bowl game again. Indiana has a great opportunity for me to come in and compete for a starting position. I have to come in and do what I do and hopefully I can earn the starting job. I have a lot to learn from the guys there and Coach Wilson but I’m ready.”
Are you excited about how Indiana uses their quarterback?
“Yes. Their senior QB, Sudfeld, is a big guy like me at 6’6”, 240. He’s graduating but he led the Big Ten in passing the last couple of years.”
How did the commitment to Indiana take place?
“I called Coach Wilson before, I think he knew I was going to commit to them. The morning of my commitment I told him what I was planning to do. That’s when he knew. A few hours later I announced it to everyone else. “
What was the reaction of the Coach Wilson when you told him?
“He was in the car on speaker phone with other coaches in there with him. They all cheered when I committed. They were all happy and glad I committed there.”
How did you feel at that moment when you verbally committed?
“I was actually really nervous. I was surprised because in my mind I knew for a couple of days I was going to commit to Indiana. Right before I told Coach Wilson and my teammates I was nervous. Telling Coach Wilson was half the weight off my shoulders and telling my teammates was the other half.”
When did you take your official visit to Indiana?
“I visited Indiana on Nov. 14.”
How did the visit go for you?
“It was awesome. I’d say when I left there, I knew. When I was there I was thinking this could really be the spot for me. I kept thinking about it and praying on it. It’s awesome there. They have top notch facilities and great people there.”
When will you enroll at Indiana?
“I know I’m going in January, but I’m not sure what date yet. They’ll get a date and give it to me.”
What is your process from here? Have you already started your offseason workouts? Have you started learning the playbook yet?
“I don’t have a playbook yet but I am familiar with what they do. I know what I picked up on there during visit. I’ve been working out in the offseason already. I’m going to keep studying, keep throwing, stay in shape and get ready for when I get there.”
Which teams were coming after you hard trying to get your commitment up to the point you committed to Indiana?
“Of course Indiana, UNLV, Colorado State, and Memphis.”
Switching to your sophomore season, how did the season go for you?
“I think we had a great year. Better than last year. Statistically I had a better year last year but I was better this year overall. I was more efficient. We did a better job of keeping in games. We only had one blowout loss, every other game we were in it. Last year we were getting blown out. This year, the guys kept fighting all year long. I’m really proud of everyone. Their (Cisco’s) success is coming.”
From a learning curve standpoint, what was your maturation process from your freshman to sophomore year?
“My maturation process was making plays when things are not there and not trying to do too much. Maybe I don’t take the shot down field but dump it off. The shots are there every game but knowing when to take that shot is important. Instead of trying to hit the home-run ball every time I was working on moving the ball down the field and looking to hit the home-run when the defense messes up.”
Richard, as always, thanks for your time today and good luck at Indiana.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Laglow family; Richard at Indiana
Photo credit: Cisco C.C.; Richard Laglow looks for an open receiver downfield.